Crimp and release of suture holding buttress material

ABSTRACT

A mechanism is provided for crimping and releasing a suture securing a strip of buttress material to an end effector. The mechanism includes a retention member movably mounted within the end effector. The retention member is movable from a first position crimping the suture to the end effector to a second position releasing the suture from the end effector. The mechanism additionally includes a follower member, engageable with the retention member, and movable in response to actuation of a surgical instrument to move the retention member between the first and second positions. A lock mechanism is also provided to secure the retention member in the first position. The follower member operates to disengage the lock mechanism.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation Application claiming thebenefit of and priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/540,483, filedon Aug. 13, 2009, the entire content of which is incorporated herein byreference.

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/540,483 is a Continuation-in-PartApplication claiming the benefit of and priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/414,943, filed on Mar. 31, 2009, the entirecontent of which is incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/540,483 is a Continuation-in-PartApplication claiming the benefit of and priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/414,931, filed on Mar. 31, 2009, the entirecontent of which is incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/540,483 is a Continuation-in-PartApplication claiming the benefit of and priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/414,961, filed on Mar. 31, 2009 (now U.S. Pat.No. 7,967,179), the entire content of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical field

The present disclosure relates to a system of attaching and releasingbuttress material from an anvil. More particularly, the presentdisclosure relates to a retention and release mechanism for crimping anddisengaging a buttress material retention suture from the anvil.

2. Background of Related Art

During various surgical procedures it is often necessary to reattach twosides of tissue. This is typically accomplished by approximating twoedges of the tissues flush against one another and securing them bystapling, suturing, etc. In some instances, the staple or suture lineconnecting the tissues may tear or pull through the tissues,particularly, where the tissues are relatively weak. Additionally,during healing, leakage may occur through the staple or suture lines.

In order to alleviate these problems, a strip of material, called“buttress material” is positioned against the tissues prior to staplingor suturing. The buttress material tends to reinforce the staple orsuture line as well as cover the juncture of the tissues to preventleakage prior to healing.

In certain minimally invasive surgical procedures the buttress materialmay be pre-attached to the surgical instrument being used. For example,the buttress material can be attached to a staple cartridge or anvilassembly of a surgical stapling instrument. The buttress material isretained by various means such as, for example, adhesives, etc.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a cartridge or an anvil assemblyincorporating a suture retention and release mechanism which allows foreasy assembly, easy retention, and/or subsequent release of a buttressmaterial retention suture after tissues have been stapled.

SUMMARY

There is disclosed a buttressed anvil assembly generally including ananvil member having an under side and a top side. The underside has ananvil face and a strip of buttress material is positioned against theanvil face. A retention component, having a backspan and first andsecond ends extending from the backspan, is positioned across the stripof buttress material. The first end of the retention component extendsfrom the underside of the anvil number to the top side of the anvilmember. A retention member including a laterally movable tab forengaging the anvil member and being movably mounted on the top side ofthe anvil member such that the first end of the retention component isreleasably secured between a distal face of the retention member and aproximal face of the anvil member.

The top side of the anvil member includes an anvil head and a pocketlocated proximal to the anvil head. The retention member is movablymounted in the pocket and the first end of the retention component isreleasably secured between a proximal face of the anvil head and thedistal face of the retention member. Specifically, the retention memberincludes a push plate having a distal face and the first end of theretention component is releasably secured between the distal face of thepush plate and the proximal face of the anvil head.

In one embodiment, the anvil member includes a clearance track such thatthe first end of the retention component passes from the underside ofthe anvil member to the top side of the anvil member through theclearance track. In a specific embodiment, the clearance track passesthrough the pocket.

The anvil member further includes a pair of side walls defining achannel, each sidewall having a distal face. The retention memberincludes a tab movable between the channel and the pocket such that aproximal face of the tab engages a distal face of the sidewall when thetab is in the pocket.

The retention member includes a flexible leg and the tab is located on adistal end of the flexible leg. The flexible leg is in a constrainedcondition when in the channel and in an expanded condition when the tabis distal of the distal face of the side wall. The retention memberfurther includes a bar extending from the push plate to a proximal endof the flexible leg such that the tab is within the channel in aproximal position and in engagement with the distal face of the sidewall in a distal position to lock the push plate into engagement withthe first end of the retention component.

The retention and release mechanism further includes a follower movablewithin the channel. The follower is engageable with the flexible leg tomove the flexible leg between the constrained and expanded conditions.

In one embodiment, the retention member includes a second flexible legaffixed to the proximal end of the bar. The second flexible leg alsoincludes a tab engageable with one of the distal faces of the sidewalls.

In another embodiment, the anvil member has a second clearance tracksuch that the second end of the retention component passes from theunderside of the anvil member to the top side of the anvil memberthrough the second clearance track.

In a specific embodiment, the strip of buttress material includes firstand second cutouts for passage of the first and second ends of theretention component.

There is also disclosed a surgical instrument generally including ahandle member having a trigger movably mounted to the handle member andan elongate tubular member extending distally from the handle member. Anend effector assembly is mounted on a distal end of the elongate tubularmember. The end effector assembly includes a first member having anunder side and a top side, the underside having a face. A strip ofbuttress material is positioned against the face of the first member. Aretention component is provided having a backspan and first and secondends extending from the backspan. The backspan is positioned across thestrip of buttress material and the first end extends from the undersideto the top side of the first member.

A retention member movably mounted on the top side of the first membersuch that the first end of the retention component is releasably securedbetween a distal face of the retention member and a proximal face of thefirst member.

The trigger of the surgical instrument is operable to move the retentionmember from a first position securing the first and second ends of theretention component between a distal face of the retention member and aproximal face of the first member to a second position allowing theretention member to move away from the first and second ends of theretention component.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the presently disclosed suture retention and releasemechanism for use with a buttressed anvil assembly is disclosed hereinwith reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling instrument having abuttressed anvil assembly incorporating a suture retention and releasemechanism;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, taken from below, of a distal end of thebuttressed anvil assembly including a strip of buttress material and aretention suture;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the distal end of the buttressed anvilassembly similar to FIG. 2 with parts separated;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, taken from above, of the distal end of thebuttressed anvil assembly with an anvil cover removed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 4, with parts separated;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the distal end of the buttressed anvilassembly;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the distal end of the buttressed anvilassembly illustrating securement of the retention suture by the sutureretention and release mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the distal end of the buttressed anvilassembly illustrating initial release of the suture retention andrelease mechanism; and

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the distal end of the buttressed anvilassembly illustrating release of the retention suture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the presently disclosed retention and release mechanismfor use in a buttressed anvil assembly will now be described in detailwith reference to the drawings wherein like numerals designate identicalor corresponding elements in each of the several views. As is common inthe art, the term “proximal” refers to that part or component closer tothe user or operator, i.e. surgeon or physician, while the term “distal”refers to that part or component further away from the user.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, and initially with regard to FIG. 1, there isillustrated a surgical stapling instrument 10 incorporating anembodiment of the presently disclosed suture retention and releasemechanism. Surgical stapling instrument 10 generally includes a pistolgrip style handle 12 having an elongate tubular member 14 extendingdistally from handle 12. An end effector assembly 16 extends distallyfrom a distal end 18 of elongate tubular member 14. End effectorassembly 16 has a pair of end effectors including a buttressed anvilassembly 20 and a staple cartridge 22. Buttressed anvil assembly 20 ismovably mounted relative to staple cartridge 22 and is movable from anopen position spaced apart from staple cartridge 22 to a closed positionbringing buttressed anvil assembly 20 into close cooperative alignmentwith staple cartridge 22. A trigger 24 is provided on handle 12 and isoperable to move buttressed anvil assembly 20 between the open andclosed positions. Additionally, trigger 24 is operable to actuate staplecartridge 22 in order to eject staples (not shown) contained in staplecartridge 22 from staple cartridge 22 into staple crimping pockets (FIG.3) on buttressed anvil assembly 20 in a manner described in more detailherein below. A rotation knob 26 is provided on handle 12 to rotateelongate tubular member 16 and thereby orient end effector assembly 16relative to a tissue being operated upon.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, buttressed anvil assembly 20 generallyincludes an anvil member 28 having a strip of buttress material 30positioned on an underside 32 of anvil member 28. Specifically, strip ofbuttress material 30 is positioned to lie on an anvil face 34 of anvilmember 28. A retention component 36 is provided to maintain and securestrip of buttress material 30 in contact with anvil face 34 of anvilmember 28 prior to stapling of tissue. Retention component 36 cancomprise a strap, a suture, a thread, a cable, etc., and includes abackspan 38 and first and second ends 40 and 42, respectively, extendingfrom backspan 38. Backspan 38 engages strip of buttress material 30 tohold strip of buttress material 30 against anvil face 34. First end 40and second end 42 pass through clearance tracks such as first and secondclearance tracks 44 and 46 formed in anvil member 28 and are secured toanvil member 28 in a manner described in more detail herein below. Itshould be noted that first and second clearance tracks 44 and 46,respectively, are dimensioned to allow first end 40 and second end 42 ofretention suture 36 to pass freely there through without binding orcinching within first clearance track 44 and second clearance track 46.Alternatively, one of first and second ends 40 and 42 of retentionsuture 36 may be cinched or otherwise attached to anvil member 28 toretain retention suture 36 with anvil member 28 upon removal of theoperative site.

Strip of buttress material 30 includes first and second cutouts 48 and50 for passage of first and second ends 40 and 42 of retention suture 36to prevent bunching or rolling of strip of buttress material 30. Stripof buttress material 30 and retention suture 36 are formed of anycommonly know materials used for buttress materials and suturesgenerally, including absorbable, resorbable materials, etc.

Referring for the moment to FIG. 3, anvil face 34 of anvil member 28 isprovided with a plurality of staple clinching pockets 52 which serve toreceive and clinch free ends of staples (not shown) ejected from staplecartridge 22 (FIG. 1) in a manner commonly known in staplinginstruments. Additionally, a knife slot 54 extends completely through asubstantial portion of anvil member 28 to accommodate passage of a knifeblade (not shown) to sever tissue as well as sever strip of buttressmaterial 30 down its length. When strip of buttress material 30 extendsdistally beyond a distal end 56 of knife slot 54, it is contemplatedthat a distal end 58 of strip of buttress material 30 will beperforated, slotted or otherwise constructed to allow strip of buttressmaterial 30 to be separated into two halves in line with that portioncut by the knife blade.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, and as noted above, buttressed anvilassembly 20 is provided with a retention and release mechanism 60 tosecure and release retention component or suture 36 (FIG. 2) fromengagement with anvil member 28. A top side 62 of anvil member 28includes a pocket 64 formed between an anvil head 66, formed in a distalend 68 of anvil member 28, and a pair of side walls 70 and 72,respectively, located proximal to pocket 64. Side walls 70 and 72 definea channel 74 therebetween. Knife slot 54 extends through channel 74 to aproximal end 76 of pocket 64 (FIG. 5). As shown, clearance tracks 44 and46 pass through a distal end 78 of pocket 64.

Retention and release mechanism 60 includes a retention member 80positioned within pocket 64 and channel 74. Retention member 80 isprovided to secure first and second ends 40 and 42 of retention suture36 against anvil head 66. Retention member 80 includes a rectangularpush plate 82 positioned within pocket 64 and oriented perpendicular toa long axis of anvil member 28. A bar 84 extends proximally from pushplate 82 and extends into channel 74. A pair of flexible arms 86 and 88extend distally from an enlarged proximal end 90 of bar 84. Flexiblearms 86 and 88 assist in securing push plate 82 distally within pocket64 and against retention suture 36. A pair of tabs 92 and 94 extendoutwardly from flexible arms 86 and 88, respectively, and are providedto engage respective side walls 70 and 72 when push plate is in a distalposition within pocket 64.

Retention member 80 may be formed from a variety of materials such as,for example, plastics, shape memory materials or alloys or other suchmaterials which would allow arms 86 and 88 to flex while maintainingsufficient rigidity to push plate 82 to secure retention suture 36against anvil headed 66.

Retention and release mechanism 60 further includes a follower 96positioned proximally within channel 74 relative to retention member 80.In the embodiment shown, follower 96 is U-shaped and includes a base 98and legs 100 and 102 extending distally from base 98. Legs 100 and 102are provided to engage and squeeze flexible arms 86 and 88 of retentionmember 80 in order to assist in releasing tabs 92 and 94 from engagementwith side walls 70 and 72. This allows push plate 82 to disengage fromretention suture 36 in a manner described in more detail below. U-shapedfollower 96 may be formed of a variety of relatively rigid materialssuch as, for example, plastics, stainless steels, etc. so as to havesufficient strength to compress flexible arms 86 and 88 retention member80.

Referring specifically for the moment to FIG. 5, a distal end 104 of bar84 extends from a center 106 of push plate 82. Inner surfaces 108 and110 of legs 100 and 102 engage respective outer surfaces 112 and 114 offlexible arms 86 and 88 to collapse or force them inwardly toward bar84.

With reference back to FIG. 4, in order to maintain retention member 80and U-shaped follower 96 within anvil member 28, buttressed anvilassembly 20 further includes a cover 116 having a longitudinal proximalend 118 which overlies channel 74 in anvil member 28. An enlargedrectangular distal end 120 of cover 116 fits into pocket 64, overretention member 80, and may be snap fit, welded, glued, etc. Cutouts122 and 124 are provided in enlarged rectangular distal end 120 to allowpassage of first and second ends 40 and 42 of retention suture 36 inorder to trim any excess suture material flush with cover 116.

Now, with reference to FIGS. 2-3 and 6-9, and initially with regard toFIG. 6, the assembly and use of buttressed anvil assembly 20 will now bedescribed. In the preassembled condition, a portion of retention member80 is in a proximal position within channel 74. Specifically, tabs 92and 94 are located within channel 74 causing flexible arms 86 and 88 tobe in a stressed or constrained condition within channel 74. Follower 96is also in a proximal position within channel 74.

Referring for the moment to FIG. 3, initially, strip of buttressmaterial 30 is placed over anvil face 34 of anvil member 28. Retentioncomponent 36 is positioned over strip of buttress material 30 such thatbackspan 38 of retention component 36 engages strip of buttress material30 to hold strip of buttress material 30 against anvil face 34 (see FIG.2). As noted herein above, strip of buttress material 30 is providedwith cutouts 48 and 50 to receive first and second ends 40 and 42,respectively, of retention component 36 in order to prevent bunching orwrinkling of strip of buttress material 30.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, thereafter, first and second ends 40and 42 of retention component 36 are wrapped or passed throughrespective clearance tracks 44 and 46, formed in anvil member 28, untilfirst and second ends 40 and 42 of retention component 36 are fullyseated within clearance tracks 44 and 46. As noted herein above,clearance tracks 44 and 46 are dimensioned to loosely receive first andsecond ends 40 and 42 of retention component 36 without any pinching orcinching of first and second ends 40 and 42 within clearance tracks 44and 46.

Referring now to FIG. 7, in order to secure retention component 36 toanvil member 28 and, specifically, secure first and second ends 40 and42 within anvil member 28, retention member 80 is manually advanceddistally to move push plate 82 through pocket 64 towards anvil head 66.Retention member 80 is advanced distally until distal face 130 of pushplate 82 captures first and second ends 40 and 42 of retention component36 against proximal face 132 of anvil head 66. In this manner, retentioncomponent 36, and thus strip of buttress material 30, is secured toanvil member 28.

As noted here in above, tabs 92 and 94 are provided in order to lockretention member 80 in the distal position. As retention member 80 ismoved distally within channel 74 and pocket 64, tabs 92 and 94 move outof channel 74 and into pocket 64. As tabs 92 and 94 move out of channel74, flexible arms 86 and 88 are free to move from the constrainedcondition to an open or expanded condition moving tabs 92 and 94outwardly within pocket 64 until proximal faces 134 and 136 of tabs 92and 94 engage distal faces 138 and 140 of first and second side walls 70and 72. In this position, retention member 80 is locked in a distal mostposition securing retention component 36 to anvil member 28. As notedhere in above, prior to use, follower 96 remains in a proximal positionwithin channel 74.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 8 and 9, the use of surgical instrument 10and, in particular, buttressed anvil assembly 20, will now be described.With reference to FIG. 1, in an initial position, buttressed anvilassembly 20 is in a spaced apart condition from staple cartridge 22.Thereafter, while not specifically shown, surgical instrument 10 ismanipulated to position staple cartridge 22 and buttressed anvilassembly 20 about tissue to be stapled. Trigger 24 is then actuated tomove buttressed anvil assembly 22 from the open positioned spaced fromstaple cartridge 22 to the closed position in close cooperativesalignment with staple cartridge 22 and about the tissue. Furtheractuation of trigger 24 serves to eject staples from staple cartridge 22through the tissue and strip of buttress material 30 and into stapleclenching pockets 52 formed in anvil face 34 (FIG. 3). As staples areejected into clenching pockets 52, a knife blade passes through knifeslot 54 to sever the stapled tissue and strip of buttress material 30.As noted herein above, in the event that strip of buttress material 30is not completely severed by the knife blade, a perforation line may beformed in distal end 58 of strip of buttress material 30 to allow stripof buttress material to fully separate into two halves.

Referring now to FIG. 8, as a knife blade, such as, for example, knifeblade 142 moves distally within channel 54, a distal end 144 of knifeblade 142 engages backspan 98 of follower 96. Distal movement of knifeblade 142 forces follower 96 distally within channel 74 causing follower96 to engage retention member 80. Specifically, as follower 96 movesdistally, inner surfaces 108 and 110 of respective legs 100 and 102engage outer surfaces 112 and 114 of flexible arms 86 and 88 ofretention member 80. This causes flexible arms 86 and 88 to be forcedinwardly toward the constrained condition pulling tabs 92 and 94inwardly toward bar 84.

Referring now to FIG. 9, as follower 96 is fully advanced over legs 86and 88 of retention member 80, tabs 92 and 94 are moved to a fullyinward position disengaging proximal faces 134 and 136 of tabs 92 and 94from distal faces 138 and 140 of side walls 70 and 72. This “unlocks”retention member 80 releasing the pressure of push plate 82 from firstand second ends 40 and 42 of retention component 36. In this condition,first and second ends 40 and 42 can be pulled free of clearance tracks44 and 46 to thereby release retention component 36 and a strip ofbuttress material 30 from anvil member 28.

In the situation wherein follower 96 is formed of a penetrable materialsuch as, for example, a plastic material, distal end 144 of knife blade142 will penetrate backspan 98 of follower 96. Proximal movement ofknife blade 142 through knife channel 54 draws follower 96, and thusretention member 80, proximally pulling push plate 82 further away fromfirst and second ends 40 and 42 of retention suture 36 to therebyfurther release retention component 36 from anvil member 28. In thismanner, retention and release mechanism 60 functions to initially secureretention component 36, and thus strip of buttress material 30, to anvilmember 28 and, upon subsequent operation of surgical instrument 10,allow retention component 36 and strip of buttress material 30 to bereleased from anvil member 28.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to theembodiments disclosed herein. For example, as noted herein above, onlyone end of the retention suture need be free to be released from theanvil member while the opposing end of the retention suture may besecured to the anvil member, such as by use of adhesive or retention ina cinch slot. Further, the disclosed retention member may utilize onlyone flexible leg to secure the retention member in a distal position.Additionally, other means of engaging the knife blade with the disclosedfollower can be provided such as, for example, magnetic, adhesives, etc.to allow the knife blade to move the follower to a proximal positionwithin the disclosed anvil member. Further, in certain embodiments aseparate activation bar or pusher is provided to release retentionmember 80 discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1, 8 and 9,independently from the actuation of the surgical stapling instrument 10.Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting,but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilledin the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spiritof the claims appended hereto.

1. An end effector assembly operatively connected to a handle of asurgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising: a firstmember having an underside, a topside, and a channel defined in thetopside of the first member; a retention member disposed within thechannel of the first member and configured to translate longitudinallythrough the channel between a first position and a second position, theretention member including at least one flexible arm, the at least oneflexible arm transitionable between a constrained condition and anexpanded condition when the retention member is translated from thefirst position to the second position, wherein the retention membermaintains a strip of buttress material positioned against a face of thefirst member when the retention member is in the second position andreleases the strip of buttress material when the retention member is inthe first position; and a follower disposed within the channel of thefirst member and translatable through the channel, the followerconfigured to engage the retention member to transition the retentionmember from the expanded condition to the constrained condition.
 2. Anend effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least oneflexible arm is biased towards the expanded condition.
 3. An endeffector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least oneflexible arm includes an outwardly extending tab adapted to engage aside wall of the channel when the retention member is in the secondposition and the at least one flexible arm is in the expanded condition.4. An end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the retentionmember extends at least partially out of the channel.
 5. An end effectorassembly according to claim 1, wherein the retention member is adaptedto secure a retention component against the first member.
 6. An endeffector assembly according to claim 5, wherein the retention memberfurther includes a bar member, the at least one flexible arm extendingfrom a proximal portion of the bar member and a push plate extendingfrom a distal portion of the bar member, the push plate adapted tosecure the retention component against the first member when theretention member is in the second position.
 7. An end effector assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the follower includes at least one legadapted to engage the at least one flexible arm.
 8. An end effectorassembly according to claim 1, wherein the follower is adapted totransition the retention member from the second position to the firstposition after the follower engages the retention member.
 9. An endeffector assembly operatively connectable to a surgical instrument, theend effector assembly comprising: a first member; a strip of buttressmaterial positionable against a face of the first member; a retentioncomponent positionable across the strip of buttress material toremovably secure the buttress material against the face of the firstmember; and a retention member configured to translate through the firstmember between a first position and a second position, the retentionmember configured to removably secure the retention component to thefirst member when in the second position and to release the retentioncomponent from the first member when in the first position, theretention member including at least one flexible arm transitionable froman expanded condition to a constrained condition upon actuation of thesurgical instrument to allow the retention member to translate from thesecond position to the first position, the retention member being lockedin the second position when the at least one flexible arm is in theexpanded condition.
 10. An end effector assembly according to claim 9,wherein the retention component has a backspan and a pair of endsextending from the backspan, the backspan being positionable across atleast a portion of the strip of buttress material with the pair of endsextending into a respective space defined by the first member.
 11. Anend effector assembly according to claim 10, wherein the retentionmember is adapted to removably secure the pair of ends of the retentioncomponent to the first member.
 12. An end effector assembly according toclaim 9, wherein the at least one flexible arm includes an outwardlyextending tab, the outwardly extending tab configured to engage thefirst member to lock the retention member in the second position whenthe at least one flexible arm is in the expanded condition.
 13. An endeffector assembly according to claim 9, wherein the end effectorassembly further includes a follower, the follower configured totranslate through the first member upon actuation the surgicalinstrument to engage the retention member and transition the at leastone flexible arm from the expanded condition to the constrainedcondition.
 14. An end effector assembly for use with a surgicalinstrument, the end effector assembly comprising: a first memberincluding a channel; a retention member disposed within the channel ofthe first member and configured to translate longitudinally through thechannel between a first position and a second position, the retentionmember including at least one flexible arm transitionable between aconstrained condition and an expanded condition when the retentionmember is translated between the first position and the second positionand configured to lock the retention member in the second position whenin the expanded condition, the retention member configured to removablysecure a retention component to the first member when in the secondposition, wherein the retention component maintains a strip of buttressmaterial positioned against a face of the first member when theretention component is removably secured to the first member, whereinthe end effector assembly further includes a follower disposed in thechannel of the first member and longitudinally translatable through thechannel, the follower configured to engage the retention member totransition the at least one flexible arm from the expanded condition tothe constrained condition.
 15. An end effector assembly according toclaim 14, wherein the follower is adapted to receive a knife member ofthe surgical instrument at a proximal portion, knife member adapted totranslate the follower towards the retention member until the followerengages the retention member, the knife member adapted to translate thefollower and the retention member from the second position to the firstposition after the follower engages the retention member.
 16. An endeffector assembly operatively connected to a handle of a surgicalinstrument, the end effector assembly comprising: a first member havingan underside, a topside, and a channel defined in the topside of thefirst member; a retention member disposed within the channel of thefirst member and configured to translate longitudinally through thechannel between a first position and a second position, the retentionmember including at least one flexible arm, the at least one flexiblearm transitionable between a constrained condition and an expandedcondition when the retention member is translated from the firstposition to the second position, wherein the retention member maintainsa strip of buttress material positioned against a face of the firstmember when the retention member is in the second position and releasesthe strip of buttress material when the retention member is in the firstposition, wherein the retention member is configured to secure aretention component against the first member, wherein the retentionmember further includes a bar member, the at least one flexible armextending from a proximal portion of the bar member and from a pushplate extending from a distal portion of the bar member, the push plateconfigured to secure the retention component against the first memberwhen the retention member is in the second position.